Donna Tunney

Cruise News Writer

Donna Tunney is a travel news/feature writer and editor with 20-plus years covering cruise news, luxury travel, and Europe and UK destinations. A former staffer at Travel Weekly and at the USAToday Network, she also was a luxury travel columnist at Travel Market Report, and a cruise columnist at Sherman's Travel.

How did you get started in cruises?

My first job in the travel industry was copyeditor at the trade publication Travel Weekly in 1990. In 1992 my editors sent me on a cruise assignment to Eastern Canada/New England, and I’ve been hooked on cruising ever since. I eventually became Travel Weekly’s senior cruise editor, in 2011, and continue to be a cruise contributor at the publication.

What makes you a cruise expert?

Covering cruising from a business perspective gave me insights into the market as well as historical knowledge of the industry. I have sailed on about 30 cruises with 14 cruise lines, on both ocean and river ships.

I was a travel and cruise content producer for Travel Market Report, Sherman’s Travel, and TheTravel.com, and held senior editorial positions at regional newspapers in the USA Today Network. I’ve also received three reporting and editing awards from the New England Newspaper & Press Association (2005, 2015, and 2018).

You can check my Muck Rack profile here.

What’s your favorite cruise line?

It’s hard to choose just one, but I’d have to say Cunard, the UK-based luxury line. As a lifelong Anglophile, I enjoy the British atmosphere onboard — the Golden Lion Pub, formal afternoon tea, white glove service in the dining rooms, and more. This is the line that operates the iconic Queen Mary 2, which has, believe it or not, a planetarium onboard.

What’s your top tip for new cruisers?

Start by booking a short itinerary of just two or three nights to see if cruising generally agrees with you before committing to a full week or longer voyage.

You find out more about the Cruise Hive team right here.

2022
Started at Cruise Hive
631
Articles
Expertise
Cruises, Luxury Travel, Journalism
31
Cruises
32
Countries Visited
Massachusetts
Location Based

Articles By Donna

Virgin Voyages’ Ship Cancels Port Calls to Storm-Ravaged Jamaica

Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady cancels Jamaica calls after Hurricane Melissa, rerouting to Cozumel, Grand Turk, and Puerto Plata instead.

Royal Caribbean Ship to Host Motorcycle-Theme Cruise in 2026

Allure of the Seas will host the 2026 High Seas Rally, a seven‑night cruise from Miami with CocoCay, San Juan, and St. Kitts.

Cruise Line Issues Cautionary Disease Notice to Current and Past Guests

Norwegian Epic guests warned of possible Legionnaires’ disease exposure. CDC investigates as cruise line urges medical vigilance.

Royal Caribbean Deploys Five Ships From Florida for 2027 Caribbean Season

Royal Caribbean will deploy five ships from Florida in 2027, including Star of the Seas, offering Caribbean getaways and week‑long voyages.

Holland America Adds Capacity in South America for 2027-28 Season

Holland America boosts capacity in South America for 2027‑28, deploying Oosterdam and Zuiderdam on extended voyages to Antarctica and the Amazon.

Royal Caribbean Faces Lawsuit Over Guest’s Fatal Fall Overboard

Royal Caribbean faces a wrongful death lawsuit after a guest fell overboard from Allure of the Seas. Family alleges over-service of alcohol and inadequate search efforts.

Oil Spill at Galveston Forces Major Change to Princess Cruise

An oil spill at the Port of Galveston delayed the Regal Princess by a full day, forcing Princess Cruises to cancel its Cozumel call and revise the ship’s itinerary.

Three-Deck-High Castle Installed Aboard New-Build Disney Adventure

Disney Cruise Line has installed a three-deck-high storybook castle aboard its new Disney Adventure ship, set to debut in Singapore in March 2026.

Royal Caribbean Goes Big With 6 Ships in Europe For Summer 2027

Royal Caribbean is going big in 2027 with six cruise ships sailing in Europe during the summer season, including calls to its new beach club.